Straight from the Sports Desk

Excited to see how it would play out on the video game incarnation of the gridiron, we set out the parameters for the game and the first experiment didn’t quite go out right.

Set at 15 minute quarters and on the All-Madden setting, New England ripped the Giants 90-46.

We wanted to keep it realistic so we cut the quarters to 8 minutes and we got some better results.

Keeping the All-Madden setting and up-to-date rosters (as well as playing in the same stadium the game will be held in today), it was the New York football Giants who prevailed by a score of 48-23.

The Giants’ Brandon Jacobs, the simulated Super Bowl’s MVP, was the star of the game, steamrolling the Patriots defense to the tune of 222 yards and three touchdowns.

Averaging 6.3 yards per carry, the tail back was nearly unstoppable running through defenders and even adding a few nice spin moves.

Jacobs was supported by fellow running backs Ahmad Bradshaw (25 rushes for 116 yards) and Ruben Droughns (5 rushes for 22 yards and a touchdown).

However, from the opening kickoff, Jacobs was the man.

After losing the opening coin toss, New York halted the Patriots vaunted offense.

Jacobs’ two-yard plunge in the first and second quarter, coupled by Ruben Droughns three-yard scamper, put New York on top 28-0 going into the half.

However, Tom Brady (44-for-67, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions) would get the Pats on the board with a 68-yard catch and run by running back Laurence Maroney.

After stuffing the Giants on the ensuing kickoff, Jacobs would cap off his day with a 90-yard gallop to give New York a staggering 35-7 lead.

But, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork would come up huge for New England.

After breaking through the line and destroying New York QB Eli Manning (injuring his collarbone during the collision), forcing the fumble, Pats safety Eugene Wilson smothered Droughns in the end zone for the safety, swinging momentum to the New England.

Brady marched the Pats down the field and connected with tight end Ben Watson for an eight-yard TD to make the score 35-16 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

After halting the Giants to a Lawrence Tyne field goal, Brady once again found the end zone this time with a 34-yard strike to wide receiver. After a 2-point conversion, New England was within striking distance at 38-24.

Brady spread the Giants’ defense thin finding Randy Moss (6 catches for 62 yards), Jabar Gaffney (8 catches for 101 yards) and Welker (10 catches for 138 yards and a touchdown) to march the Pats up the field once more.

But New England’s drive would come to an abrupt halt at the hands of the Giants’ Michael Strahan.
The defensive end, who had terrorized Brady up to this point (10 tackles and four sacks), came barreling into Pats’ running back Kevin Faulk.

Faulk, who has been a hero for New England many times on their championship runs, fumbled the ball as he was obliterated by Strahan.

New York recovered and even without Manning at the helm, the Giants held on behind the arm and legs of backup Anthony Wright, who plunged into the end zone on a one-yard run.

Tynes would add another field goal late in the quarter to give the Giants the upset win over the once perfect Patriots.